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German Revolution of 1918 and Kaiser WIlhelm II resigns
The German Revolution occurred at the end of WW1 with political unrest against the monarchy. This resulted in Germany becoming a parliamentary republic, starting the age of Weimar Germany. This also ended in Kaiser WIlhelm abdicating in November 1918. This image shows a newspaper headline of when the Kaiser resigned. -
Ebert-Groener Pact
A pact between President Ebert (SDP) and Wilhelm Groener, part of the German Army to ensure the Weimar Republic's safety. Groener assured Ebert the loyalty of Germany's armed forces. It was signed on November 11, 1918. This image shows President Ebert during this time. -
Armistice Ending WW1
On November 11, 1918, an armistice was signed between the allies and Germany. The German army stopped being aggressive as US/British troops moved into Germany shortly after the armistice. This image is an illustration of the armistice being signed. -
Treaty of Versailles and The Results For Germany
The Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Paris Peace Conference in June of 1919, following World War one. The treaty stated that Germany was the cause of starting the war, therefore imposing many punishments on germany. They were forced to pay a hefty price in reparations which was also impossible for their economy to pay. This picture represents the large reparations that Germany paid. -
Spartacist Revolt
The Spartacist Revolt took place from January 5-12, 1919 in Berlin, Germany. Spartacists, communists, wanted Germany to be ruled by the working class and wanted a revolution like Russia's to occur. Thus, a revolt started which was ended by the Freicorp. This image shows Spartacists during their revolt. -
Bavarian Soviet Republic
The Bavarian Soviet Republic was created on April 6th, 1919 in Germany as a part of the German Free Socialit Republic. It was established after the fall of the People’s state in Germany. However, shortly after, it was overthrown by the Freikorps and the German Army. This picture represents a visual of the Bavarian Soviet Republic. -
Formation of Weimar Republic/Constitution
On August 11, 1919, Friedrich Ebert (SDP member and president of German Reichstag) signed the Weimar Constitution into law, creating the first German Parliamentary democracy. This image shows the constitution being created. -
The Kapp Putsch
The Kapp Putsch was a German Coup that was created in 1920 in hopes to overthrow the Weimar Republic and to put an end to the Freikorps. The coup later came to an end by the strikes of the workers. This picture represents the mass of the Kapp Putsch coup. -
(Red) Ruhr Uprising
The (red) Ruhr Uprising occurred from march 13th to april 2nd of 1920. This uprising consisted of 50,000-80,000 armed workers. This uprising was the result of a mass disagreement between the Freikorps/army and the German workers. This picture represents several workers on strike. -
The Treaty of Rapallo
The Treaty of Rapallo was signed in Rapallo, Italy, by the Soviet Union and Germany on April 16th, 1922. This treaty was to regain positive relations between Germany and the Soviet Union and negotiate finance to better the economies of both. This picture represents a flyer discussing the treaty. -
Hyperinflation Crisis
Germany’s use of passive resistance against the French occupation was encouraged with the promise of wages being paid by the government. This was done by printing more money which led to severe hyperinflation. This made the worth of the mark plummet and made prices rise making it more difficult for people to obtain necessities. This photo portrays children using money to make kites because money was so worthless that the amount of money it would take to make a kite would not be a great loss. -
Weimar Golden Age
The many reforms of Gustav Stresemann led to an economic boom in Germany which also led to a flourishing culture as economic troubles weren’t the main priority. This period led to economic prosperity, raised living standards, thriving intellectual life, and great developments in creative areas like art, theater, and music. This photo exemplifies the developments in culture during this period as it shows the artistic progress of the time. -
Occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium
Germany’s failure to pay debts to France led to the French moving troops into the Ruhr Valley and being violent with civilians. In response, Germans were encouraged not to work so there would be no output from factories for the French to take as payment. This damaged the world’s view of France and their relationships with other countries. The negotiation of the crisis also allowed Germany to realize their ability to violate Versailles. The photo shows how France’s violence was seen by the world. -
Beer Hall Putsch
Hitler led the NSDAP party to march to Bavaria and take control of the government and establish Hitler’s power. This was shut down quickly as the police soon opened fire on their army. This event brought attention to Hitler and allowed him to write his book on his ideology in prison which spread his ideas and gained him more followers. This photo demonstrates the determination of Hitler during the attempted seizure of power that was shown to the world and influenced people to support him. -
Introduction of Rentenmark
In an attempt to quell the intense hyperinflation, Gustav Stresemann introduced the new Rentenmark, replacing the old worthless mark, which was supported by the value of Germany’s gold, meaning it would be stronger. This ended hyperinflation and introduced the many reforms of Gustav Stresemann that would pave the way for the Golden Age of Weimar. This graph demonstrates the consistent value of the mark after the introduction of the new Rentenmark which shows its effectiveness. -
Dawes Plan
The Dawes plan underwent under Streseman’s influence which reduced Germany’s annual reparation payments, and re-increasing them as their economy improved overtime. It also called off the french in the Ruhr. The picture below shows the terms agreed upon, in simple terms. -
Election of President Von Hindenburg
Because of his status as a war hero, President Von Hindenburg was elected, after retiring in 1918, for president. He was not fond of Hitler; however, through the manipulation of Von Papen, Hitler reaches chancellor; he dies soon after this. The photo is a portrait of Von Hindenburg. -
Locarno Treaty
The Locarno treaty, between Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain, and Italy, guaranteed mutual peace in Western Europe. Under these terms, was a promise not to attack each other, Germany and France agreed to a shared border and thus a state of peace between the two countries, and a demilitarization of the Rhineland. The treaty however failed after a matter of time and Italy’s reduction of involvement. The photo shows 3 major power leaders meeting together. -
Treaty of Berlin with Soviet Union
Treaty signed with Germany and the USSR in which it pledged neutrality if the other was attacked by a third party country for 5 years. It extended friendly relations established at Rapallo. The photo below shows the leaders signing the treaty. -
German entrance into League of Nations
By signing the Locarno Treaties, it presented a unification between the countries and an acceptance of the Versailles treaty which prompted them to be able to join. Here, they explained the German perspective in conflicts and discussions, and stayed in the LoN until Hitler withdrew the country. The picture portrays all the leaders in the League posed together for a photo, including Germany. -
Beginning of the Great Depression
U.S. stock crash was felt worldwide, this caused the U.S. to demand Germany paid back the loans they took out. Leaving 3 million German citizens unemployed, which led to attempts by the government to stop famine and caused a budget deficit. The picture attached is a political cartoon of how unemployment affected citizens. -
Young Plan
One part of Stresemann's strategy to restore the German economy. Stresemann was able to negotiate German reparations to Britain from 6.6. to 2 billion pounds. This helped to lower the taxes on German citizens. The picture is of Gustav Stresemann (creator of the plan). -
Von Papen's deal with Hitler
Franz Von Papen was minister of Germany for six months in 1932 and lead the coalition in Reichstag. When he was replaced he struck a deal with Hitler to make him chancellor as long as Papen was vice-chancellor. The photograph linked to this event is of Hitler and Von Papen. -
Grand Coalition of Weimar Germany
The grand coalition was composed of the SDP, Catholic Center, and German Democratic Party (all democratic) from 1919-1933. The elected officials drew up a coalition for this new form of government in Weimar Germany. The coalition was needed due to the lack of a majority for one political party because citizens were in political disarray as they searched for stability. The picture linked is of the coalition in 1928. -
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Hilter elected chancellor due to deal with Franz Von Papen who was vice-chancellor. Both were appointed by President Hindenburg. The picture is of Hitler and his new government.